System, method and entertainment system for monitoring performance when launching a ball

ABSTRACT

A system and method for including an entertainment aspect in an individual&#39;s training/practice session for throwing/kicking/hitting (i.e. launching) a ball, requires recording a video stream(s) that includes images of the individual&#39;s body motions and the resultant flight trajectory of the ball. Images from the video stream(s) can then be used, with appropriate metrics, to study the motion kinetics of the individual and the ball&#39;s resultant flight trajectory, to evaluate the individual&#39;s performance in launching the ball. Also, images from the video stream can be edited by the individual for subsequent training or entertainment purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to systems and methods for objectively evaluating an individual's body motions while throwing, kicking, or hitting a ball; based in part on the resulting trajectory of the ball. More particularly, the present invention pertains to video techniques which can be employed to provide objective information for the use and/or entertainment of an individual while he/she is practicing on throwing, kicking or hitting a ball. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for converting video information into objective metrics which can be used to evaluate the kinetics of an individual's athletic performance abilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Repetition, persistence, and an objective evaluation of an individual's performance are the essence of any training regimen. This is particularly so in sporting activities where there is a continuing need and desire to improve one's performance. In sports activities which use a ball, individuals typically focus on the body's action that is required to throw, kick or hit the ball. As a general statement it can be said that the success of any such activity is objectively measured by the resultant trajectory of the ball as it is launched onto a driving range, or onto a similar type area. Stated differently, the body's motion and the resultant ball trajectory should be objectively considered together. This, however, becomes more difficult as the length of a ball's trajectory is extended.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,989 for an invention entitled “System and Method for 3D Optical Tracking of Multiple In-Flight Golf Balls” (hereinafter referred to as the '989 Application) is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and is incorporated herein in its entirety. In the '989 Application, it is disclosed how to isolate a single golf ball from a plethora of in-flight golf balls, and to track the trajectory of the isolated golf ball over great distances from the time it is launched until it comes to rest. To do this, the disclosure in the '989 Application discloses video techniques that collectively use a plurality of different video streams. Further, the '989 Application discloses that a visual presentation of each golf ball's trajectory can be provided with a monitor that is positioned at the location from where the golf ball is launched.

As recognized by the present invention, the metrics that are necessary for evaluating the kinetics of an individual's body motion for throwing/kicking/hitting a ball and his/her performance based on the ball's flight trajectory, can be accurately measured from the same video stream(s) that are used to track a golf ball trajectory as disclosed in the '989 Application. Also, interactive gaming and competitive exercises can be created between several different individuals (participants) using similar video stream(s). As an additional capability, it is recognized that a video presentation at a monitor which is located near the individual (participant) can be manipulated by the individual to customize a metric evaluation of his/her own performance as an individual activity or in competition with others.

With the above in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide video metrics for evaluating the kinetics of an individual's body motion and his/her overall performance, to include the resultant trajectory of a ball being thrown/kicked/hit by the individual. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an individual with the capability of controlling and using a video presentation of his/her activity as he/she throws/kicks/hits a ball. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for including an entertainment aspect into a practice session for throwing/kicking/hitting a ball that is easy to implement, is simple to use, and is comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for incorporating an instructional/entertainment aspect into a training/practice session for an individual includes at least one ball launching bay from where the individual is able to throw/kick/hit a ball into a three dimensional x-y-z space. Also included is a video unit having an n number of cameras installed on the periphery of a driving range (area) having a surface area under the x-y-z space. In combination, the n number of cameras are oriented to create respective digital video stream images of the individual in the bay as he/she launches the ball on an in-flight trajectory to a touchdown landing location on the surface area of the driving range.

In detail, the video unit has at least one camera for creating a video stream of the individual when launching a ball, and at least one other camera for creating a video stream of the ball's in-flight trajectory. Further, a camera focal plane is created from a respective video stream for each of the n number of cameras. Each of the camera's focal planes comprises a plurality of pixels which are mapped for input into a computer. Specifically, this mapping is done for purposes of measuring motion kinetics of the individual as he/she launches the ball, and for georectifying an in-flight ball with the surface area of the driving range. Further, the computer is used to correlate the golf ball with targets on the surface area of the driving range, and to evaluate the motion kinetics of the individual relative to the resultant trajectory of the ball. More particularly, the motion kinetics can be evaluated to identify a causal relationship between the individual's motion kinetics and the in-flight trajectory of the ball relative to the intended target.

An interactive display located at the launching bay is connected with the computer for purposes of showing the individual during a launch of the ball, the in-flight trajectory of the golf ball, and its touchdown location, to inform and entertain an individual (participant) with his/her performance in throwing/kicking/hitting the ball. Additionally, the computer provides the interactive display with capabilities for interactive gaming with individuals at other bays; for creating and selecting target designs and presentations on the driving range surface area; for moving targets on the driving range surface area; and for evaluating the statistics and scoring values for each ball as it is launched. This can be done individually, or competitively, with balls launched by other individuals.

As added features, the system of the present invention can include a projector for illuminating a predetermined portion of the driving range surface area with a laser light, to thereby create a visible optical target on the surface area. Also, the system can include a fabricated convex surface that is erected over at least a portion of the surface area of the driving range. Further, a gutter can be connected to an edge of the convex surface for passive retrieval of balls from the convex surface for return to the individual during a training/practice session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a driving range suitable for use in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a novel range surface for the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic layout of the interactive components needed for an operation of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1 a driving range in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, the range 10 has a surface 12 that is bounded by a predetermined periphery 14. Along an edge of the periphery 14 is a plurality of bays 16 which are each respectively provided for use by an individual who desires to launch (i.e. hit, kick or throw) a ball 18 from his/her bay 16 onto the surface 12 of the range 10.

In FIG. 1, it will also be seen that the present invention includes an n number of cameras 20 that are installed on the periphery 14 of the driving range 10. Collectively, the cameras 20 constitute a video unit (not designated). Also, a projector 22 is provided for illuminating a predetermined portion of the surface 12 of the driving range 10 with a laser light to create a visible optical target 24 on the surface 12. As envisioned for the present invention, the projector 22 is capable of moving the target(s) 24 in accordance with either a predetermined program, or in accordance with an individually customized program. It is also envisioned for the present invention that in addition to illuminating the target(s) 24 from the projector 22, physical target(s) 24 can be permanently or temporarily established on the surface 12.

In FIG. 2, a pre-fabricated convex surface 26 is shown which can be selectively installed over at least a portion of the surface 12 of the driving range 10. As shown, the convex surface 26 can be provided with a gutter(s) 28 which is(are) connected to an edge of the convex surface 26. In particular, the gutter(s) 28 allow for passive retrieval and return of balls 18 from the convex surface 20 to a bay 16. Further, the convex surface 26 is configured to optimize the reflection of laser light from the convex surface 26 for enhanced contrast of the optical target(s) 24 on the convex surface 26.

For an operation of the present invention, FIG. 3 shows that a camera 20 is used, together with a second camera 20′. In detail, the camera 20 is used to create images of a participant 30 as he/she is launching (throwing/kicking/hitting) a ball 18. For the present invention, this activity may be performed by the participant 30 in a bay 16, or at some other location that allows a camera 20 to properly image the participant 30. In either case, it is intended that the camera 20 will create a digital video stream 32 of the participant 30 as he/she launches the ball 18. At the same time that the camera 20 is creating the digital video stream 32 of the participant 30 launching the ball 18, the camera 20′ is also creating a digital video stream 36 of the resultant flight of the ball 18 as it travels on its in-flight trajectory 34 toward a target 24. Thus, the digital video streams 32 and 36 are effectively created simultaneously with each other. Importantly, this allows the video stream 32 and the video stream 36 to be temporally evaluated together. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, under certain conditions, a single camera 20 may suffice for recording both of the video streams 32 and 36.

For a joint evaluation of the video streams 32 and 36, the video stream 32 that is created by the camera 20 is directed as input to a launch evaluation unit 38. Specifically, the launch evaluation unit 38 uses this input to evaluate the motion kinetics of the participant 30 during the act of throwing/kicking/hitting the ball 18 that is required to launch the ball 18. At essentially the same time that the motion kinetics of the participant 30 are being recorded and evaluated by the launch evaluation unit 38, a tracking unit 40 evaluates the video stream 36 of the in-flight trajectory 34 of the ball 18. A computer 42, which incorporates both the launch-evaluation unit 38 and the tracking unit 40, can then use information in both of the respective video streams 32 and 36 for either instructional purposes 44 or entertainment purposes 46.

For instructional purposes 44, the present invention uses the computer 42 to evaluate a causal relationship between the motion kinetics of the participant 30 and the in-flight trajectory 34 of the ball 18. In particular, this evaluation for a causal relationship is directed toward identifying the necessary changes that are required for a participant 30 to optimize his/her performance. For entertainment purposes 46, the in-flight trajectory 34 of the ball 18 can be used for such activities as target practice, score keeping, or interactive competition with other participants 30. Further, the tracking unit 40 can provide input to the computer 42 that can be used to enhance and support the instructional purposes 44. In any event, the results of the instructional purposes 44 and the entertainment purposes 46 can be individually or jointly presented on an interactive display 48 for use by the participant 30. Preferably, for the above stated purposes, the display 48 will be positioned in a bay 16, where the particular features of interest for the participant 30 can be selected from the computer 42 for presentation on the interactive display 48.

While the particular System, Method and Entertainment System for Monitoring Performance When Launching a Ball as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for incorporating an instructional/entertainment aspect into a training/practice session for an individual, wherein the training/practice session involves launching a ball, the system comprising: a driving range defined by a base-line having a first end and a second end with a periphery extending from the first end of the base-line around a surface area of the driving range to the second end of the base-line with a three-dimensional x-y-z space above the surface area; at least one ball launching bay for use by the individual to throw/kick/hit a ball into the x-y-z space; a video unit including an n number of cameras installed on the periphery of the driving range for creating digital video stream images of an individual in the bay launching the ball and the in-flight trajectory of the ball as it travels from the bay to a touchdown landing location on the surface area of the driving range; a predetermined target on the surface area of the driving range; a computer connected with the video unit for manipulating the video stream to correlate motion kinetics of the individual during a launch of the ball, together with the in-flight trajectory of the ball, and with the touchdown location of the ball relative to an intended target on the surface area, to identify a causal relationship between the individual's motion kinetics and the in-flight trajectory of the ball relative to the intended target; and an interactive display located at the launching bay connected with the computer for showing the individual during a launch of the ball, the in-flight trajectory of the ball, and its touchdown location, to inform and entertain an individual of his/her performance in launching the ball.
 2. The system recited in claim 1 further comprising a projector for illuminating a predetermined portion of the driving range surface area with a laser light to create a visible optical target thereon.
 3. The system recited in claim 2 further comprising: a fabricated convex surface erected over at least a portion of the surface area of the driving range; and at least one gutter connected to an edge of the convex surface for passive retrieval of balls from the convex surface for return to the individual.
 4. The system recited in claim 3 wherein the convex surface is configured to optimize laser light reflection therefrom for enhanced contrast of the optical target.
 5. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the video stream image of the ball in the touchdown location includes identification of an impact point of the ball relative to the predetermined target and subsequent ball movement.
 6. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the computer provides the interactive display with capabilities for interactive gaming with individuals at other bays; for creating and selecting target designs and presentations on the driving range surface area; for moving targets on the driving range surface area; and for evaluating the statistics and scoring values for each ball launched, individually and competitively, with balls launched by other individuals.
 7. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the video unit comprises: at least one camera for creating a video stream including images of the individual when launching a ball; at least one camera for creating a video stream of the ball's in-flight trajectory; and a camera focal plane created from a respective video stream for each of the n number of cameras, wherein each camera focal plane comprises a plurality of pixels for use by the computer in measuring motion kinetics of the individual launching the ball and georectifying the ball with the surface area of the driving range to correlate the ball with targets on the surface area of the driving range.
 8. A system for incorporating an entertainment aspect into a practice session which comprises: a driving range defined by a surface area wherein the driving range includes at least one bay for launching a ball onto the driving range; a video unit installed on the periphery of the driving range for creating a video stream image of an individual in the bay and a video stream image of the in-flight trajectory of the ball as it travels from the bay to a touchdown landing location on the surface area of the driving range; a computer connected with the video unit for correlating motion kinetics of the individual at the bay, when launching the ball from the bay onto the driving range, with the in-flight trajectory of the ball and its touchdown location relative to a predetermined target on the surface area of the driving range, to identify a causal relationship between the individual's motion kinetics and the in-flight trajectory of the ball; and an interactive display at the bay connected with the computer for showing the in-flight trajectory of the ball and its touchdown location, to inform and entertain the individual at the bay of his/her performance in launching the ball.
 9. The system recited in claim 8 further comprising a projector for illuminating a predetermined portion of the driving range surface area with a laser light to create a visible optical target thereon.
 10. The system recited in claim 9 further comprising: a fabricated convex surface erected over at least a portion of the surface area of the driving range; and at least one gutter connected to an edge of the convex surface for passive retrieval of balls from the convex surface for return to the individual.
 11. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the convex surface is configured to optimize laser light reflection therefrom for enhanced contrast of the optical target.
 12. The system recited in claim 8 wherein the computer provides the interactive display with capabilities for interactive gaming with individuals at other bays; for creating and selecting target designs and presentations on the driving range surface area; for moving targets on the driving range surface area; and for evaluating the statistics and scoring values for each ball launched, individually and competitively, with balls launched by other individuals.
 13. The system recited in claim 8 wherein the video unit comprises: an n number of cameras installed on the periphery of the driving range for creating digital video stream images of an individual in the bay launching the ball and the in-flight trajectory of the ball as it travels from the bay to a touchdown landing location on the surface area of the driving range; at least one camera for creating a video stream including images of the individual when launching the ball; at least one camera for creating a video stream of the ball's in-flight trajectory; and a camera focal plane created from a respective video stream for each of the n number of cameras, wherein each camera focal plane comprises a plurality of pixels for use by the computer in measuring motion kinetics of the individual launching the ball and georectifying the ball with the surface area of the driving range to correlate the ball with targets on the surface area of the driving range.
 14. A system for evaluating the kinetics of an individual's performance when launching a ball toward an intended target which comprises: a video unit, including an n number of cameras to collectively create an n number of respective video streams, wherein the video streams include video data for use in imaging the individual's body motions during a launch of the ball, and for tracking the resultant in-flight trajectory of the ball; a launch evaluation unit for receiving video data from the video unit to image the individual's motion kinetics during a throwing/kicking/hitting activity required to launch the ball; a tracking unit for receiving video data from the video unit to image the in-flight trajectory of the ball launched by the individual; and a computer incorporating the launch evaluation unit and the tracking unit for identifying a causal relationship between the individual's motion kinetics and the in-flight trajectory of the ball.
 15. The system recited in claim 14 further comprising: a driving range defined by a base-line having a first end and a second end with a periphery extending from the first end of the base-line around a surface area of the driving range to the second end of the base-line with a three-dimensional x-y-z space above the surface area; at least one ball launching bay for use by the individual to throw/kick/hit a ball into the x-y-z space; and an interactive display located at the launching bay connected with the computer for showing the individual during a launch of the ball, the in-flight trajectory of the ball, and its touchdown location, to inform and entertain the individual of his/her performance in launching the ball.
 16. The system recited in claim 15 further comprising, a projector for illuminating a predetermined portion of the driving range surface area with a laser light to create a visible optical target thereon.
 17. The system recited in claim 16 further comprising: a fabricated convex surface erected over at least a portion of the surface area of the driving range; and at least one gutter connected to an edge of the convex surface for passive retrieval of balls from the convex surface for return to the
 18. The system recited in claim 17 wherein the convex surface is configured to optimize laser light reflection therefrom for enhanced contrast of the optical target.
 19. The system recited in claim 15 wherein the computer provides the interactive display with capabilities for interactive gaming with individuals at other bays; for creating and selecting target designs and presentations on the driving range surface area; for moving targets on the driving range surface area; and for evaluating the statistics and scoring values for each ball launched, individually and competitively, with balls launched by other individuals.
 20. The system recited in claim 14 wherein the video unit comprises; at least one camera for creating a video stream including images of the individual when launching the ball; at least one camera for creating a video stream of the ball's in-flight trajectory; and a camera focal plane created from a respective video stream for each of the n number of cameras, wherein each camera focal plane comprises a plurality of pixels for use by the computer in measuring motion kinetics of the individual launching the ball and georectifying the ball with the surface area of the driving range to correlate the ball with targets on the surface area of the driving range. 